Education ministry, UNICEF ink MOU to enhance co-op

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Education and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand cooperation for 2020-2021.

Online exhibition showcasing COVID-19 achievements

TEHRAN – The first virtual exhibition of “Surge in Production and COVID-19 Achievements” started on Tuesday with 40 knowledge-based companies in attendance.

Iran most active country in WHO study for COVID-19 treatment

TEHRAN – Six months after the World Health Organization's “Solidarity” clinical trial for COVID-19 treatments, Iran was ranked first among the 30 study partners in the “Patient Participation” platform.

WHO provides Iran with ventilators, PCR systems

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered 150 medical ventilators and 100 high-performance real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) thermal cyclers to Iran to further support the health system and help respond to the pandemic.

Governor says COVID-19 violators will be forced to work in hospitals

TEHRAN – People who endanger the whole society due to non-observance of health protocols will be forced to work in hospitals to provide services to coronavirus patients, the governor of Zanjan has said.

UNICEF in Iran provides anti-corona supplies for vulnerable children

TEHRAN – The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has delivered a number of locally procured hygiene items to address the needs of vulnerable children in Iran during the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

COVID-19 has given a fillip to biodiversity

TEHRAN – The COVID-19 outbreak caused many problems for the world, but in return gave the planet's environment and biodiversity a chance to breathe. The high mortality rate may be worrisome, but it provided us with the opportunity to think more about how we should treat biodiversity in a better way.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

COVID-19 taking high toll

TEHRAN – COVID-19 is surging globally with 37.2 million infections and over 1 million mortalities, haunting countries that had apparent success in suppressing initial outbreaks.

Iran sets fines for violating COVID-19 measures

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani announced on Saturday that individuals and business owners who do not wear masks leaving home or at their place of work will be fined from 500,000 rials (some $12 at the official rate of 42,000 rials) up to 10 million rials (around $240).

COVID-19 at record high, Tehran in ‘extremely severe’ condition

TEHRAN – Iran registered unprecedented 3,902 new cases of coronavirus and 235 deaths on Monday as the capital city Tehran is experiencing ‘extremely severe’ condition.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Let's care more for our elderly during coronavirus

TEHRAN – Many people around the world, particularly the elderly, are suffering from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iran attends UNIATF meeting on COVID-19, NCDs

TEHRAN – Iran participated in a meeting of the United Nations Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (UNIATF) which was held on Sunday with the aim of examining the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the world.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Global partnership prerequisite to counter COVID-19

TEHRAN – A global crisis needs global cooperation to be tackled, the coronavirus pandemic showed that in today's world many dangers can cross all boundaries and affect the whole world so that it magnifies the importance of international cooperation.

Iran calls for collective response to contain COVID-19 effect on food, agriculture

TEHRAN – Iran called on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to move forward to collective policies and response programs for member countries in the region to place food and agriculture at the center of the COVID-19 socio-economic response, at the 35th FAO Regional Conference for the Near East.

Influenza vaccination plan aims to reduce COVID-19 effects

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Health will start a national plan on Tuesday aiming to provide two million doses of influenza vaccines for at-risk groups such as the elderly, transplant patients, cardiopulmonary patients, and pregnant women to reduce COVID-19 effects, Mohammad Reza Shanehsaz, head of the Food and Drug Administration, has said.

Specific COVID-19 mutations identified in Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian researchers have identified some genetic mutations of COVID-19 that are specifically occurring in the country.

Third wave of COVID-19 looming in Iran

TEHRAN – The third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is looming in some provinces across the country mainly as a result of reopening businesses, offices, and educational centers, Alireza Raeisi, the deputy health minister has stated.

Iranian COVID-19 vaccine to undergo clinical trial soon

TEHRAN – The Iranian-made coronavirus vaccine has passed the initial laboratory phase and will be tested on humans over the next 2 months, Jalil Kouhpayehzadeh, the chancellor of Iran University of Medical Sciences, has announced.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

World Suicide Prevention Day: bring focus on mental health amid COVID-19

TEHRAN – The global pandemic came with the economic downturn, the isolation due to months of social distancing, and the sheer stress of navigating through life while suffering a dangerous virus; all these make the most imperative time to focus on suicide prevention.

DOE studying COVID-19 effect on marine environment pollution

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) is implementing a plan to investigate the impact of the coronavirus on marine pollution, director of the marine pollution control office of the DOE has announced.

WHO lauds efforts of Iranian nurses in COVID-19 battle

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised the Iranian nurses for playing an effective role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Museum puts ancient medical equipment collection online

TEHRAN – The National Museum of Iran has put tens of centuries-old medical equipment online in a bid to pay tribute to huge sacrifices Iranian healthcare workers have made during the coronavirus era.

All foreign nationals in Iran receive free COVID-19 treatment

TEHRAN – All foreign nationals infected with coronavirus receive medical treatment free of charge in Iran, deputy director for infectious diseases management department of the Ministry of Health has stated.

WHO strengthens Iran’s response to COVID-19

TEHRAN – In an effort to strengthen Iran’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) delivered 100 ultrasound imaging machines to the Ministry of Health.

Freed POWs praise medical staff battling COVID-19

TEHRAN – A number of freed prisoners of war (POWs) went to the Khatam al-Anbia specialized hospital in Tehran on Saturday, appreciating medical staff for their efforts in the fight against the coronavirus.

Third group of Iranians living in Tajikistan return home amid COVID-19

TEHRAN – Some 70 Iranians living in Tajikistan returned to the country due to the global outbreak of coronavirus. This is the third group of people that came back from Tajikistan since the onset of the pandemic.

Iran welcomes Russia’s success in producing COVID-19 vaccine

TEHRAN – Iran welcomes Russia's success and achievements in COVID-19 vaccine production and believes that the international community should also welcome it, the Iranian ambassador to Russia has said.

Sanctions on Iran to affect all countries in COVID-19 battle

TEHRAN – U.S. sanctions against Iran, which have led to a lack of prevention and treatment equipment, will affect all other countries as well, head of the Medical Council has stated.

Iran calls for enhanced regional cooperation against COVID-19

TEHRAN – The health program of the Mediterranean countries, in which Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan work together under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), should be expanded in the region, especially in the fight against coronavirus, Health Minister Saeed Namaki has stated.

Coronavirus-crippled tourism industry needs national support to rebound: official

TEHRAN – The domestic tourism industry crippled by the coronavirus pandemic needs national support to make a rebound, deputy tourism minister Vali Teymouri has said.